“Now, isn’t that just like a woman!” exclaimed Cupid; his round pink cheeks growing rounder and pinker as he stormed on. “I just guess, Mother, if you had been down to the Heart Exchange and had heard and seen what I did, you wouldn’t say, ‘Perhaps and perhaps.’ Why, I strolled over to listen to two of the magnets talking. One man said there was a corner in the matrimonial market and the other said he was too visionary, for that market wasn’t at all affected by the Heart Trust. He said it was only a question of a deal in futures. I don’t know what they mean by such talk as that.” “I’m sure I don’t either, Cupid,” said Venus, laying down her mirror; for she had begun to realize that the question was serious and she must give it her undivided attention, which is a difficult matter for a real Venus. “Tell me more, Son.” “Well, I looked over a man’s shoulder, and he was reading from another of those ticker things. He was a horrid man, not the kind I like to deal with, at all. He read things like this: ‘Summer Girls. Sensational Advances. No Reserve. Public Wary. Actresses not well supported, but best of financial backing; good figures.’” “But, Cupid, dearie, you’re not interested in hearts like those, I hope.” “Now, Mother, you know perfectly well that a man in my business position is obliged to deal in all sorts of hearts. And I’ve always had a monopoly of the market. Now the Great Heart Trust has spoiled my trade entirely.” He broke another arrow across his knee and his quiver seemed to have transferred itself to his rosy lips. “But, Son,” began Venus, hopefully, “doesn’t this affect city hearts only? Can’t you go to the country, and in the flowery fields and lovers’ lanes find all the business you can attend to?” “No, Mother,” and the curly head drooped like a dandelion at midday. “This Great Heart Trust is universal. I stole a look at one of their papers this morning, and one column was headed ‘Rural Reports.’ Then it said: ‘Country depressed, dull; moving slowly. Domestic Products quiet and well-behaved; in great demand. Southern peach crop very fine; quickly snapped up.’ I can’t understand all their queer terms, but I suppose I shall have to learn them.” “Yes, Cupid, do that. Meet them on their own ground and fight them with their own weapons. You know more about hearts than they do; think of your long experience.”